Professional Development (Childhood Studies)

Plymouth SSTAR Awards Faculty Winners: 'Innovative Teaching' and 'Outstanding Personal Tutor' 2015-2018 A range of modules in contemporary specialisms allow you to top-up your Early Childhood, Teaching, or Early Years Foundation Degree to a full BA (Hons) qualification. This is a 'top-up' year and those students without a relevant Foundation Degree should look at the FdA Early Childhood Studies, Teaching and Learning, or Early Years Practice first. Students on the BA (Hons) Professional Development (Childhood Studies) have the opportunity to focus their research and writing on areas of personal and professional interest across a number of challenging, modern, and innovative modules. ‘Exploring Children’s Narratives’ allows learners to think deeply about the spaces occupied by children: whether that be globally, in Education, physical or outdoor space, or the space they occupy in society. ‘Challenging Contemporary Concepts’ addresses an ever-changing array of topics that influence childhood and education, with topics this year including the notion of a ‘Toxic Childhood’, screen time, the notion of gender, and the role of television, advertising, and the online world, and literature. Alongside a Dissertation and two other modules focusing on Globalisation and Professional Practice, this course offers a diverse and engaging top-up to a range of Foundation Degrees and is designed around five areas of importance for the early years sector and for those working with young children. These are developmental psychology, sociology, research, social policy and welfare.